7 Chapter 6

[Omniscient POV]

{It's been a few minutes since her servants left to fulfill their tasks. Momo should be arriving with the two individuals from the church and Saji would either return with Rias or with a message from her.} thought Sona.

Ever since the incident at the abandoned (no anymore 😏) church a few weeks ago from which only one of her servants Queen Akeno has somewhat recovered from the injuries she suffered as a result of the incident. Her other servants we still in intensive care in one of the Sitri family hospitals barely clinging to life, while Maoh Beelzebub tries to find a way to cure them. Sadly that is all the information her older sister gave her. Sona signed and adjusted her glasses.

The door opened and Momo entered with three individuals following behind her. This caught Sona by surprise although she maintain a straight face to not give that away.

Only two holy energy signatures were picked up by the wards at the gate and even the wards in this room were only picking up the energy fluctuations of the two individuals wearing cloaks. But the man in front of them had her on edge. His silver hair and eyes match the sharp edge he gave off and those cross-shaped pupils seem to peer at her deepest secrets and insecurities to such a degree that she was happy when he just his glasses and they were no longer visible. He nodded to Momo as she moved to the side and they walked in. Momo closed the door before walking to a spot behind Sona with the rest of the peerage except Saji who hasn't returned.

Sona stood up to welcome them" Welcome to Kuoh, My name is Sona Sitri one of the two overseers. These are my peerage members Tsubaki Shinra, Reya Kusaka, Tomoe Meguri, and Tsubasa Yura and you've already met Momo Hanakai" each member nodded as their name was called. "My last member is carrying out a task".

The man in ego kes them in the room and who was most likely in charge adjusted his classes" My name is Ezekiel, to my right is Xenovia, and to my left is Irina". Both of them removed the hood of their cloaks all the devils to see their faces. Xenovia had blue hair with a single strand being green and fierce amber eyes, while Irina was a twin-tailed brunette with innocent lilac eyes. Xenovia gave a rigid nod and Irina waved at the devils.

"Would you care for some tea" inquired sina looking to ease the tension in the room. Xenovia and Irina declined.

" Earl Gray if you have it," said Ezekiel. Sona nodded to Tsubaki who bowed and went to prepare the beverage. Meanwhile, Sona places a chess set on the table.

"Do you play?" she inquired.

"Once in a while, but perhaps another time" he states.

Tsubaki comes back with a steaming cup of Earl Gray.

" Thank you," he says while removing his glasses to not get them forged up and then he receives the cup with his gloved hands. He inhaled the fragrance then light blows on the cup before taking a sip and savoring it.

"Well done Miss Shinra, it's not too heavy, yet not too light, a good balanced yet flavorful Earl Gray" he complement with closed eyes.

"My pleasure " she states with a smile.

"Not to interrupt you, but I believe we have matters to discuss. For instance, why are you hear in Kuoh? And the purpose of this meeting" states Sona. Since she can't draw him into her element with chess then she will have to be direct.

"Hmm" he hums then the atmosphere in the room changes as he opens his eyes and his cross-shaped pupils can be seen. To say it made the young devil's present uncomfortable was an understatement.

"We're on a mission to retrieve some stolen property from the individual or individuals that stole them, preferably in working order but should that prove to be too taxing or a taste them their destruction shall become the new task to prevent the thieves from studying them to learn their secrets or using them against us, perhaps even both" he pauses and takes a sip allowing sina to take in that information. Which wasn't much, she didn't know what was stolen or by who.

"May I ask what was stolen and who stole it?" she asked to test the waters.

"You're pushing your luck devil," said Xenovia chiming in with an edge in her voice."Not only is that information classified, but in what way does it concern you?" she added not caring about the scowls It almost seem like she enjoyed infuriating them.

"The information that has been given to you is more than enough yet y.." what even she was about to say was stuck in her throat as her superior directed his gaze at her. He said nothing but then again no words were necessary the look in his eyes said it all.

*SHUT UP*

She felt a shiver go up her spine. How could she not, a church enforcer was starting at her displeased. One should know that the rank of enforcer is not something easily gained. Only 50 individuals since the founding of the church have held the rank because of its steep requirements to handle the missions they receive. The most promising of children with sufficient attunement to light or even better the holy element which is the purest form of light are recruited usually from orphanages and put through training and rituals to push their bodies to their peak and refine their blood to that of ancient humans like Enoch. Sixty percent quit training alone because of its grueling requirements. Of the remaining forty percent, thirty-five percent quit because their bodies reject the rituals usually because their bloodlines don't trace back before the flood. And of the remaining five percent inky a few survive the missions give usually two maybe even three. Church enforcers only answer to Cardinal Bishops, The Pope himself, or Angels of the rank of Thrones and Above. According to what her mother told her Sir Ezekiel is one of two church enforcers and he's the stronger of the two and the younger of the two as well. And the other enforcer is the only survivor of the previous generation. That means that only one child made it to the end in this generation and that was Sir Ezekiel an enforcer of great renown for slaying everything from stray priests to evil dragons. And she displeased him, the very thing her mother told her not to do.

" My apologies sir, it won't happen again," said Xenovia while bowing her head.

His gaze lingers on her for a second more, almost a second too long for her sanity to bear before looking back at Sona.

"I apologize for her outbursts Miss Sitri," said Ezekiel. Sona nods and accepts the apology and her peerage visibly calm down and relaxed their scowls.

Seeing this Ezekiel takes another sip"Hmm..perhaps some context as... recompense" he states gaining Sona's interest. He takes another sip and favors the taste"Are you familiar with the fate of the original Excalibur Miss Sitri?" he asks catching Sona off guard after all she expected answers, not a question.

"It was destroyed correct" she states. Ezekiel took another sip.

"Yes it was...but the fragments were reforged into seven individual swords, that were handed down to compatible and capable wielders since their creation" he pauses and took another sip"When not in use they are kept in secure locations under wards and seals. A classified number was stolen and we've been tasked with their preferred retrieval or their begrudging destruction" he states.

Sona was shocked, Kuoh was most likely about to become a battleground. She rubbed her forehead while processing the information.

"...That explains why you're here, but not the purpose of their meeting." that's what's been bothering her since the beginning.

Ezekiel let a small but noticeable smile free, then takes a sip of the tea.

"Very perceptive Miss Sitri. The purpose of the meeting is to..establish boundaries" he said taking one last ship before resting the empty cup on the table.

"Boundaries?" inquired Sona

"What I mean to say Miss Sitri is directed to Miss Gremory and you and anyone affiliated to you both whether they are your peerage members or contracted magicians..." his eyes sharpen.

"STAY OUT OF OUR WAY"